Communities in S.Africa Come Together to Protect Businesses from Plundering

Johannesburg - Nearly a week after the imprisonment of former South African President Jacob Zuma triggered violent protests, community members and local policing forums have come together to protect businesses from plundering. "We have been here since last night to ensure that this mall is not looted," said Mike Mazibuko, a resident of Soweto township, near Maponya mall, the only shopping center that has survived the looting so far. Mazibuko said they are determined to protect the mall, as it is a source of livelihood for many in the area.

“This business employs hundreds. What will happen to them when it's razed?” he asked. He said people are using the issue of Zuma’s imprisonment as an excuse to commit crime, loot, and injure others. In Mayfair, a suburb of Johannesburg, members of the Somali community sent out trucks to townships and informal settlements to help their nationals there load goods from their stores and take them to places of safety. Violent riots and looting first broke out in the country last Thursday over the jailing of Zuma for contempt of court.